THERE is no place like home - and grandmother Flo Giblett wants hers back.
The 76-year-old has spent the past three-and-a-half years living in the house next door while major repairs have been carried out at her own property in Southampton.
Although the renovation - funded by a Southampton City Council grant - has been completed, Flo insists the work is not up to scratch. Now the pensioner is facing eviction, having vowed not to return to her home of 42 years until further improvements have been made.
The grandmother-of-two claims the three-floor building in Park Road, Shirley, is unsafe - even though council inspectors have checked and approved the property.
This week frail Flo, who suffers from a blood disease and osteoporosis, was preparing for a showdown with bailiffs.
"My house has been done to such a low standard that there is no way I am moving back," she said.
"Although it looks good on the outside, it is an absolute shambles inside. It is dangerous in several respects. Not only am I being cheated, but the council is being cheated and more importantly the rate-payer is too."
Flo, who receives income support, had lived in the two-bedroom house since 1961 having initially bought it with her husband, from whom she is now separated. When repairs were needed in December 2000, she agreed to move into the adjacent property belonging to a private landlord for one year.
Since then her rent has been met by Southampton City Council which has also provided a £60,000 grant for the renovation project.
Flo says work did not start until October 2001. In April 2002 she was told the house was ready for her return, but was horrified at what she found after being given the keys the following month.
Now her landlord has taken legal action to evict her from the property next door. After several hearings at Southampton County Court, an eviction notice was served earlier this month, ordering Flo to have left the address by 11am on Monday. Bailiffs were thought to have arrived in Park Road but left after seeing supporters of Flo and members of the press gathered outside the house.
Flo said she had now been offered temporary accommodation in Coxford but had not had sufficient time to pack her belongings since viewing the property last week.
A Southampton City Council spokesman insisted Flo's home was safe for her return. He added that the eviction proceedings were between Flo and her landlord.
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